Hey everyone just a quick one I'm getting a Laredo 4x4. Tossing up between petrol and diesel what's your thoughts. The dealer also have a diesel with quadra lift for an extra 2k. Recon it's worth it? Hope this the right thread. Thanks rain.

Hi Rain
Everyone on here will have their own opinion on this, but once I drove the diesel I was sold and I also opted for the quadra lift. It is a pleasure to drive, the power and economy is amazing, in the end it's your choice, good luck with your new car whichever you choose

Andyp911, I installed a set 4" stainless steel oval side steps.I'm very happy with them but they may not be everyone's cup of tea. Bought them off ebay for $339.00 plus delivery. Ordered them on a weekend and they were delivered from Sydney to my address on Tuesday. Very easy to fit, took approx 2hrs.

All excited, I got dropped off at the dealer to collect my new DCR Overland. Had already been delayed by 24 hours because they were taking longer to fix something I had found during my pre pre-delivery check last Friday.
Turns out the delay was caused by the need to diagnose and fix a non-working headlight. (My complaint was the handle of the tailgate wasn't seated properly). That's a bit of a worry re quality control.
So, got in the car with the salesman for him to show me the ropes, but the Uconnect screen just says "loading" forever. Takes it into the service department who re-boots it by disconnecting/reconnecting the battery. That's a bigger worry because one never knows why it needed re-booting.
After about 30 mins, we got back in the car and got to the point of connecting my phone. It connects, but the only thing that you can do is dial manually - the phone buttons and the VR button don't work. Bluetooth streaming doesn't work, and VR doesn't work for anything else either - in fact there is no "beep" when it is pressed. The salesman tried his phone, and it did not work.
I said I don't want it until it is fixed, and came home in a loaner. Unfortunately, I had already paid for it - although after waiting since May I probably would persist anyway.
Unfortunately all that dents my confidence in the car.
Worst of all, my wife is upset too because we were leaving early tomorrow for a few days at the Mudgee food and wine week!
Thanks for listening,
Russell

Is it just me, or do other hear alarm bells? Hopefully, it is just me, and the car just has a few initial gremlins, that once sorted, will be troublefree.

Really sorry to hear about the troubles. I'm sure it will be something like reloading some software. But I understand your upset, surely it couldn't have been like that when the dealer was prepping it. Makes me nervous too as mine is on the railcar/wharf at the moment.
All the best.

Thanks Salmo,
According to my salesman, pre-delivery only check "cosmetic" items - which presumably included the headlight..
Mine only went to the service department because they were to fix the tailgate handle and the headlight. I had also asked for the climate control flash to be applied (but I can't confirm yet that has been done).
Having said that, in my pre pre-delivery check, the "loading" problem didn't occur. I didn't check the phone and VR functions.
In general though, I think anyone taking delivery should ensure they check the car with all of the issues discussed in this forum in mind. eg. I don't think the sales man was going to show me the VR functions, and that has issues with navigation - even if it works otherwise.

And to RAIN13: my loaner is a diesel Laredo. I hadn't driven a 2014 diesel before (I test drove 2013's). It is really quite amazing. Noticably more power than the 2013 I drove, and better than I would expect from a petrol.
Thanks,
Russell

Is it just me, or do other hear alarm bells? Hopefully, it is just me, and the car just has a few initial gremlins, that once sorted, will be troublefree.

I am certainly hearing alarm bells. Particularly after reading on one of the US forums about loose electrical connections causing problems to a number of the control modules - and I got the impression that maybe the battery connection was loose all along.
But the best I can do at the moment is to ensure all my concerns are well documented. I do think the dealer is reliable - small country town and we all know each other. The principal offered me his demo Overland if I still wanted to go to Mudgee, but I declined as I was really mainly going to play with MY car!
My suggestion to anyone collecting a car is to read the US manuals on line, and try everything out before leaving the dealership. I was pleased I had, or I would have been even more upset if I'd discovered all this tomorrow.
Thanks,
Russell

THE EAGLE HAS LANDED!!
Finally picked up the Big Red Beast after 10 months.

Unlike Russell, the handover and instruction was smooth. Rear View Camera still not available for the Laredo (Soon and a better quality than previous models please).
But apart from that took the CRD for a smooth, controlled ride around town. Too good, the leather seats and sunroof really set it off as does the Summit Chrome Grille Inserts. May even get the lower grille chrome surround (Overland) to trick it up a bit more.
So the stress and frustration is over. (for a while then I'll invent some more issues to stress and frustrate over)

No Russell glitches yet and hope not to as well
Bluey

Looks great Hymer

I was just wondering did you install the summit grille yourself? If so is it easy to do.

Also check the heat shielding on the right side of the sump. I had the rattle that sounded like it was behind the radio, but while I was under the car fitting side steps I noticed heat shielding touching the chassis rail, bent the heat shield away from the chassis and no rattle for the last month

Hi G6JET,
What type of sidesteps did you fit? Do you have photos? Did you encounter any issues with fitting?
Look forward to your advice,
Thanks,
Dom

Andyp911, I installed a set 4" stainless steel oval side steps.I'm very happy with them but they may not be everyone's cup of tea. Bought them off ebay for $339.00 plus delivery. Ordered them on a weekend and they were delivered from Sydney to my address on Tuesday. Very easy to fit, took approx 2hrs.